951 Timing Belts

[Bill1944]

Afternoon Everyone,
I wonder if there's anyone who can help me answer a couple of questions?

• I've been changing my timing belt every 3 yrs since I bought my 944 (951) Turbo Cab 15 years ago. Is this still current thinking? My local Porsche main dealer now advises periodic inspections and belt changes at 45,000 mile intervals and that elapsed time is irrelevant. Can this be correct? It's certainly not a decision to get wrong!
• I've heard ESSO Super Petrol is to have some BioEthanol added from later in the year. I've always used this petrol with great success up to now. anyone got any thoughts?

Very grateful for any guidance.
Bill1944

 

[Bill1944]

Hi Bill,
I don't know what sort of mileage you do, but it could take me 15 years to do 45k in mine! I wouldn't be happy leaving the belts more than 5 years. I think the theory goes that they do deteriorate with age even if not doing the miles. I think I read that the fact that the distributor is operating in the same space as the belts will lead to a high ozone level within the belt covers, and that can attack the rubber. Maybe modern belts are more resistant to ozone attack. On balance, I think you're doing it right, maybe a little over zealous depending on your mileage.

 

[944Turbo]

In my cab they are approaching 8 years old, but I still haven't quite hit the re-tension check, so not exactly high mileage! I am about to replace them. I had rollers and waterpump changed at the last swap. 4 years should be safe and was the standard recommendation on the forums etc. I think the number of breakages was relatively low and on modern cars 80k, 8 years is not unusual for a cam belt change.

Ref the petrol, Esso reputedly had the lowest ethanol content but any super unleaded E5 (max 5% ethanol) should be fine,
Tony

 

[blade7]

On my daughters Fiesta Zetec the belt interval is 80k or 10 years. I changed it at 10 years, and the belt still looked fine. What a PITA it was though, and why the crank pulley isn't keyed onto the crank I don't know.

 

[scam75]

I wouldn't leave the belts any more than 4/5 years regardless of mileage. Having just fully rebuilt my engine it is a very small expense to keep the valves pointing the right way!

I've always used Shell V Power, only use Esso if I can't get Shell, then BP if I can't get Esso..............BP only 97 ron I think, other 2 I think are 99.

Stuart

 

[944Turbo]

Tesco super is also 99 so I think it is probably supplied by shell or esso,
Tony

 

[PSH]

Never used Esso in the 951 so can't comment on how good, I do use it (95) in my wife's car though, no problems there. Shell V is my go to fuel, since moving I have used BP a couple of times as its the only fuel in the village but I don't push the car with this fuel. The car is mapped to run on 98 so Shell gives me a slight safety margin when using high boost.

 

[blade7]

Tesco SUL has been my main fuel for years, occasionally Shell when I wasn't near supermarket. BP and Esso are fine too AFAIK. But some SUL is only 97 octane.